April 2015 Chemo Crew... Starting in April? Please join us!

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  • littleblueflowers
    littleblueflowers Member Posts: 2,000
    edited July 2015

    I actually had a CT scan as well. I think both were of my trunk- neck to groin. I'd have to look again at my report, because as per usual, I was doped to the gills on Ativan and not really tracking. All I know is, my MO and BS said my case wasn't as dire as they had originally thought, and I was clean. They also did blood work- tumor markers and such at that time, and it all came back normal. This was all after surgery and before chemo. So who knows??? My understanding is every human has cancer cells in their body. I guess I believe them because its their job to know. And my fingers hurt too- they always do about this time. I think I'm going to lose some finger nails..

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  • Addie29
    Addie29 Member Posts: 307
    edited July 2015

    my MO said he doesn't like to do tumor market tests because they aren't always accurate. Maybe that is why. And that's awesome that all your tests came back good. I hope you and every other woman on this page have many many many years of remission. Tomorrow I'm off to the chemo bar. Taxol number 7 out of 12. I CANNOT wait to be done. Does anyone have any big plans for the finish of treatment? Me and the hubby Have tossed around the idea of going back to Disney world this spring- and possibly a drive to North Myrtle Beach for a week. I know I'm going to cherish every holiday this year.

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  • melb44
    melb44 Member Posts: 130
    edited July 2015

    Addie - You are one ahead of me. I will have #6 Taxol on Wed. I got invited to a conference at Beaches Turks and Caicos and it falls after my surgery and before I start radiation in October. I asked my doctors and they said it would be fine to go. The flights were expensive and I normally wouldn't pull my kids out of school but I NEED something to look forward to. I am thinking of it as a done with chemo and surgery present. :)


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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited July 2015

    Addie, I am hoping to take a big trip next year. I don't know where to though. Disney should be fun for you and your family! I am so sorry to hear about Sarah's death. I hate this stupid disease.

    Littleblue, My docs have said the same thing. I am cancer free once it was removed in surgery and scans were clear. I assume it to be true until proven otherwise.

    Dizz, I am glad you enjoyed the concert. I love the picture!!!!

    Addie and Steph, Kudos to you for being advocates for yourselves. I hope you both told the docs who blew you off the results so that they are not so quick to blow things off in the future.

    Positive spirit, Glad you had a nice birthday. I hope the appointment with the trainer goes well.

    slv, Glad you had a nice birthday. I also appreciate birthdays much more now; I used to dread them!

    I had my rads consult. I had met with the RO in March before they had decided on chemo, so today was the first time since then. They sent the PA this time instead of the RO. She gave me several things about the treatment plan that were different than he'd told me and she said it was because the nodes were negative. I asked when the plan changed and why it changed and asked to have it clarified with the RO before I left because I know you can only do rads once. The RO finally came in and it turned out that the plan had not changed. The PA just made some assumptions or read it wrong. I am not sure which, but it did irritate me. I was glad he came in though, because he said I could do the sim 10 days after the end of chemo which will allow rads to start exactly 2 weeks after chemo ends. The few days may not seem like a big deal, but early October is Fire Prevention Week, and I typically work 70+ hours that week. I'd like rads to be done by then. Tomorrow I have my orthopedic appointment to find out how long I have to wear this darn thing on my foot, and I'll be able to finally see my x ray. From there, I will go to the hospital for labs and chemo. It'll be Taxol #10!!!!! I know a lot of us are in the chemo bar tomorrow for our Taxol cocktail.




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  • ThePrincess
    ThePrincess Member Posts: 424
    edited July 2015

    I will be there tomorrow for #6 - I am LITERALLY green with envy over you ladies that are done or are farther along Taxol than me! Sept 8 (last chemo) can't come fast enough!!!!

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited July 2015

    Tina, Be sure to blast "Halfway There.."...Livin on a prayer by Bon Jovi on your way home. The second half seems to be going faster than the first half...though not fast enough!!!!!!!!!


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  • gingeel
    gingeel Member Posts: 102
    edited July 2015

    Addie, so very sorry about Sarah. I saw you posted that on FB.....so tragic. It really upsets me that these Drs play with our lives! How can they dismiss something so quickly, when they should know that it could be cancer. Why take that chance? Just order the tests! I have a friend who was concerned about a lump and pain, and a BS actually told her it "felt" benign. He didn't order a biopsy, and her lymph nodes are swollen. She is getting a CAT scan. Does that sound right?

    Littleblue, even though I had my tumor removed, clean nodes, and a clean PET....I'll consider myself cancer free when I'm finished and done with all of my treatment.

    Addie & Mel, you deserve a vacation....we all do. I had to cancel my planned to Mexico for this, so I will absolutely reschedule something else! I am going on a mini vacay with my kids (hubby can't come) to MN Aug 19-26. My Dad, bro, and most of my aunts, uncles, cousins, and only living Grandfather live there as well. We are having a big bday for Gramps....he turns 94 this year, and he is still as sharp as nail!

    KBee, I also had met with my RO back in April before they decided to do chemo. He was the one that gave me the news that I was triple neg. Good thing you pushed on the RA and got some real answers. Why did they even have her meet with you? Sheesh.

    I suppose I should consider myself lucky, although, I'm probably jinxing myself.....I have no neuropathy and my nails are still intact. They look like shit, and are dark and purple, but they don't hurt. Nor do I have or really have had any mouth issues. Thank God.

    Dizz, awesome that you saw Imagine Dragons. I missed the Foo Fighters and U2 because I didn't want to be stuck to something so costly in case I felt like crap. Boohoo....I should have just gotten the tickets! I did watch a crappy Journey cover band on Saturday. he he

    I'll be thinking of all the Tuesday ladies joining me at the chemo bar.

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  • Rpayton
    Rpayton Member Posts: 235
    edited July 2015

    Karen good for you to ask and question the radiology plan! Geessshhhh that's just sloppy on their part.

    Addie so, so sorry about your friend. Heartbreaking! I hope you do something good for yourself in her honor.

    This disease really stinks and not being taken seriously by doctors has got to be just awful. Second opinions or even third opinions so important. It makes me realize in this group that not everyone across the country has access to top medical care and that has to change. I'm very fortunate to live where I do and my access to a top 10 facility is so close. The entire oncology team has been amazing in organizing my care, posting to my electronic chart, and excellent communication between team members.

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  • SueH58
    SueH58 Member Posts: 632
    edited July 2015

    KBee - how many treatments will you need?

    Re: post-chemo celebrations, I'm so looking forward to New Year's Eve to welcome in a new year. Oddly enough, I had a really bad feeling this past New Years. I told my daughter I felt funny about this NY's. I thought it would be something with one of my parents, but low and behold, it was me, just 5 weeks later. I'm not huge on NY's Eve, but I'm going to celebrate this one with gusto with our best friends.

    Ginger - you are right. I believe mid-50's is a very common age for BC. Not sure if it's because of menopause or what.

    Anyway, in the meantime, my DH and I took his wedding ring in to get it sized. I spotted a fabulous wedding band that totally matched my engagement ring that I had redone several years back. So, I figured after all I've been through, what's $1500 for a new ring, right? I do think I deserve it (although I certainly don't need it). And, as I've mentioned, I'm apprehensive to schedule a vacation since I've had to schedule 2 recently due to medical problems, including my BC.

    Hugs to all,

    Sue

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  • GingerChi
    GingerChi Member Posts: 252
    edited July 2015

    Thanks littleblue for the info, so glad your tests came back clear! My MRI was done before BMX and I haven't had a CT. I asked my MO about a PET scan but she said my insurance wouldn't pay for it unless something turned up on my bone scan or chest xrays (since my type of cancer typically would go to the lung or bones if it spread). There was nothing suspicious on either of them thank God, but that also meant no PET scan. I haven't had tumor markers that I know of? I need to ask MO if any type of scan will be done once I complete treatment and push for it!

    KB, how wild about that PA, good on you for pushing until you got to the bottom of things!!! Hope you get good news about the boot tomorrow too!

    Renee, when I read how all of our treatment experiences are, I'm struck by the differences. It sounds like you have a wonderful team behind you, that is fantastic!! I live 1.5 hrs from Birmingham, and considered taking treatment there. I'm sure more support would have been offered through the larger hospitals. I had my BMX in B'ham and asked my BS's opinion...she suggested taking treatment closer to home. I actually agreed with her since I had no idea how I would tolerate everything and a 3 hr round trip made me leery. At that point every bump in the road hurt due to my surgery so I was glad to have an option just 20 minutes away. lol

    I don't have big vacation planned, but some friends have invited me on a beach trip to Florida in October. I should finish Taxol in late September......I'll still be dealing with Herceptin but only every 3 weeks. I guess I would still have to be careful about being in the sun at that point and if they decide I need rads, that would kill the trip I guess. I do hope it works out tho, I am ready to get out of town for a break now and know I will be by then. lol

    Taxol #4 for me tomorrow, we have a big group hitting the chair!!! Lets count em down ladies!!! :D

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  • Jackbirdie
    Jackbirdie Member Posts: 4,693
    edited July 2015

    Wishing all of you in the chair today smooth sailing. Check another one off the list! Hoping for tolerable SEs for all you all.

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited July 2015

    it's 4 am. In other words, time for the first bloody nose of the day. Glad they're short-lived!

    Gingerchi, I think you deserve the trip!

    Sue, I will have 30 rads treatments...whole breast, mammary, axillary, and sub clavicular nodes.

    Renee, I like that things get posted to the electronic chart too. I check it often!

    Gingeel, is you friend's lump a breast lump? If so, odd that they are doing a CT scan and not a biopsy. I had a CT scan for something unrelated 2 months before my recurrence and it detected nothing.

    Lots of us visiting the chemo bar today getting one closer to the finish line. Wishing minimal side effects to all

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  • lovlilynne
    lovlilynne Member Posts: 405
    edited July 2015

    Hi - getting my first of 3 L-Glutemine cocktails in before my LAST Taxol!! I found out on Friday that I have to go to my usual location for my blood work and appointment with NP, then drive 20 miles to another location for my chemo. After a scramble with figuring out how I would get rides (with one option being I'd drive myself and not tell them - I really feel fine after), the plan is to have DS drive me to both places this morning and leave me, and my sister is coming to the end of treatment and drive me home. No bells or celebrations (that I know of - maybe there's one at the new place, but I never saw one at my usual center), but I'll try to take a selfie of my sister and I and post it.

    It's been crazy busy at home - in a good way, lots of social stuff and house stuff to do. Yesterday my mom had a visit from cousins who were on her father's side - haven't seen them for years. Her daughter lives in CA and is visiting so came with her. She told me that her grandmother had BC and many lymph nodes removed the day after she was born, then lived for another 30+ years. She had lymphodema, but Irene said she never complained. I love to hear those stories.

    Ok, chemosabes, I'll be thinking of all of you with me in the chair today.

    Lynne

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  • GingerChi
    GingerChi Member Posts: 252
    edited July 2015

    Congrats Lynne!! So happy for you! Hope all goes great today!

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  • slv58
    slv58 Member Posts: 1,216
    edited July 2015

    Lynne, yipeeeeee! We will all ring the virtual bell for you!

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  • Jackbirdie
    Jackbirdie Member Posts: 4,693
    edited July 2015

    congratulations Lynne- I'll ring the bell for you. And celebrate!

    πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‰πŸ””πŸ””πŸ””πŸ””πŸ””πŸ””πŸ””πŸ””πŸŽˆπŸŽˆπŸŽˆπŸŽˆπŸŽˆπŸŽˆπŸŽ‰πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‰πŸŽˆπŸŽˆπŸ””πŸ””πŸ””πŸ””πŸ””πŸ””πŸ””πŸ””πŸ””πŸ””πŸ””

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited July 2015

    yahooooo Lynne!!! So happy for you!!!

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  • Rpayton
    Rpayton Member Posts: 235
    edited July 2015

    Lynne: HIP, HIP HOORAY!!!! GO CELEBRATE! So happy for you!

    Happy

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  • littleblueflowers
    littleblueflowers Member Posts: 2,000
    edited July 2015

    Yaaaaaay Lynne!!!!!!!!

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  • AndreaC
    AndreaC Member Posts: 220
    edited July 2015

    Hi all!

    Addie, so sorry about your friend. This disease sucks!! It irritates me enormously when I hear of doctors saying "you're too young"...as an RN I have seen far too many young people with cancer, heart disease, etc.

    Littleblue, I won't consider myself cancer free until five years after treatment. I am ultra cautious because I have lymph node involvement, plus I have had three cancers in less than two years. So far all my scans have been negative (PET, CT's) and my tumour markers are normal, but I can't help being a little paranoid about recurrence.

    Congrats Lynne!!!

    Re post treatment celebrations - DH and I are travel fanatics and I am wracking my brain trying to think of someplace to go once all this is over. One thing we will do for sure is go visit my son in Quebec in Late Sept./early Oct. He bought himself a house 1 1/2 years ago and we still haven't seen it. And of course we want to see him - he is just so far away! But I also want to go to Alaska, to Paris, to Bermuda, to Cuba...there are so many places! There are three different groups of people who want to go to Las Vegas with us too.

    We got back from the Okanagan Valley yesterday. The friends we stayed with live in an orchard and gave us a bunch of beautiful cherries, and we picked up a flat of blueberries at a fruit stand. My plan for today is to make jam! So nice that I am through chemo and have some energy.

    Andrea



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  • Addie29
    Addie29 Member Posts: 307
    edited July 2015

    at the chemo bar today. I have 5 taxol left. I can't count on one hand now! Almost there. I saw a dr I don't normally see today and man oh man it seemed like he had no idea what he was doing. How dare my MO take a vacation! Hope everyone in the chair has minimal se today.

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  • gingeel
    gingeel Member Posts: 102
    edited July 2015

    Congrats Lynne on finishing up today!!!!!

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  • Stephmoen
    Stephmoen Member Posts: 563
    edited July 2015

    I have a question final chemo is scheduled August 6 woohoo then I will be getting another pet scan August 26 I had one prior to chemo that was clean besides a small increases uptake in liver my drs are convinced it's nothing as well the tumor board but obviously they are rechecking it so I'm a little nervous I didnt follow they food guidelines the first time had sugar and caffine the day before oops but I'm still wondering what is the point of doing a pet so soon wouldn't the chemo temporarily make it non active..congrats to those finishing up I can't wait

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  • lovlilynne
    lovlilynne Member Posts: 405
    edited July 2015

    Ugh, they had trouble with my port again. That's 4/8 times, or 50% of the time. In the chair now, getting the benedryl. Zzzzzzzzz

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  • littleblueflowers
    littleblueflowers Member Posts: 2,000
    edited July 2015

    The end is in sight, Steph!!!! Yaaaaaayyyyyyy!!!!

    Good luck everyone bellying up to the bar today!

    I am so annoyed. Cancer blows. Just when I think I'm moving on, something stupid will come up like having to inform someone that I had to let one of my work certifications lapse for this season because of it. Then.....the absolute fucking humiliation of seeing the pity in their eyes when they try to work it out so I can still do this part of my job, knowing that someone has clued them in that I'm the cancer queen. I HATE special treatment. And I HATE being "special".

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  • georgie61
    georgie61 Member Posts: 95
    edited July 2015

    I just got a call from my BS - and the results of my post-chemo MRI are in. COMPLETE RADIOLOGIC RESPONSE! No cancer could be seen in breast or lymph nodes! I have BiMX with recon scheduled for August 28th - so they could still get small amounts on pathology at surgery - but I needed the good news! Nice to know that all those trips to the chair were worth it.

    My best goes out to all of you that are finishing chemo and hope you have the same great response!

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  • Jackbirdie
    Jackbirdie Member Posts: 4,693
    edited July 2015

    fantastic news Georgie!!!

    I couldn't be happier for you.

    πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‰πŸ‘πŸ»πŸ‘πŸ»πŸ‘πŸ»πŸ‘πŸ»πŸŽˆπŸŽˆ

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  • ThePrincess
    ThePrincess Member Posts: 424
    edited July 2015

    Georgie! YAY!! Lynne!! YAY! good news all around!!!!

    Tina/ThePrincess

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  • Alibeths
    Alibeths Member Posts: 656
    edited July 2015

    YAY!!!!!

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  • slv58
    slv58 Member Posts: 1,216
    edited July 2015

    Fantastic news Georgie!!Β 

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